WHO: Bomb squads, explosive detection canine teams, and tactical teams representing groups from New York and six other states, federal entities, and Canada, that are participating in this year’s Raven’s Challenge.
WHAT: V.I.P. Day at the Raven’s Challenge, when reporters, photographers, and videographers can view portions of exercises with bomb squads, explosive detection canine teams, and tactical teams in a realistic training environment. Members of the media can also tour the site of the Raven’s Challenge, the State Preparedness Training Center (SPTC), a sprawling, world-class facility that regularly provides training for first responders and government officials.
Scheduled exercises included in the media availability are a “robot rodeo” and disruption of a model improvised explosive device (IED), and an active training in CityScape, a realistic “mini-city” that includes a mall, hotel, bank, school, and apartment building, providing a realistic environment for scenario-based training and instruction.
The event is organized by the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES), coordinated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and funded by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).
WHEN: Wednesday, June 24, 2015 – check-in at 9:00 a.m., and exercises, a tour of the SPTC, and the opportunity for interviews until 11:00 a.m.
Media representatives will be escorted around the facility; additionally, because training exercises are scheduled ahead of time, it is important to arrive promptly for check-in.
WHERE: The New York State Preparedness Training Center (SPTC), 5900 Airport Road, Oriskany, NY 13424.
Media attendees must RSVP to be admitted to the Raven’s Challenge. Upon arrival, please drive to the main gate, where your name will be on a list with the security guard. You will then be directed to park. After parking, please enter the main Education and Administration Building. Public information officers will meet with you for check-in, then escort you through the SPTC to view active training.
WHY: The Raven's Challenge began in 2004 in the Pacific Northwest, and has since grown to reach more than 1,000 participants nationwide each year. The SPTC in Oriskany is one of only four sites nationwide to host Raven’s Challenge activities (other host sites include locations in Florida, Colorado, and Washington), which boosts the local economy and gives the state the opportunity to show the SPTC to guests who may not typically get to see it. New York has the highest risk of terrorism in the nation, and its citizens are uniquely aware and prepared for manmade and natural disasters, making the SPTC an important venue for emergency and disaster training.
RSVP: Due to the sensitive nature of the training and security at the facility, attendees will need to be admitted into the SPTC, making it imperative that media outlets RSVP by Tuesday, June 23. To do so, please contact Kristin Devoe at Kristin.Devoe@dhses.ny.gov or (518) 242-5153 with the names of any reporters, photographers, and videographers planning to attend; the media outlet they represent; and contact information. Credentials will be provided at check-in.
About the SPTC
The State Preparedness Training Center (SPTC), housed within DHSES, affords state, local, and federal agencies a complex of training venues that can be used for the entire spectrum of training. From classroom lectures and discussions to reality- and high-performance scenario-based training, the SPTC offers opportunities for dynamic emergency first responder training.
About DHSES
The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) and its four offices -- Counter Terrorism, Emergency Management, Fire Prevention and Control, and Interoperable and Emergency Communications -- provide leadership, coordination and support for efforts to prevent, protect against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorism and other man-made and natural disasters, threats, fires and other emergencies. For more information, visit the DHSES Facebook page, follow @NYSDHSES on Twitter, or visit dhses.ny.gov.
